Vanderbilt University

Kevin R Kozak

Lawrence J Marnett

Jeffery J Prusakiewicz

Philip J Kingsley

The present invention provides methods, compositions and kits for discriminating between COX-1 and COX-2 activity. In particular, the prevent invention provides for the detection and/or measurement of COX-2 activity in subjects, samples thereof, and in laboratory tests. The present invention discloses that 2-arachidonylglycerol is a COX-2 selective substrate which is metabolized by COX-2 to prostaglandin glycerol esters (PG-Gs) and that the diversity of PG-Gs parallels that of arachidonic acid derived metabolites of COX. The present invention also provides certain novel COX-2 selective metabolites including prostaglandin I-glycerol ester (PGI-G) and 6-keto-prostaglandin F-glycerol ester. Methods and kits are described for detecting COX-2 activity comprising detecting PG-Gs (including the novel PG-Gs disclosed herein). Uses for these methods and kits include the detection and monitoring of inflammation and tumors or cancer. Additional uses include the monitoring of test agents in assays to screen for COX-2 specific inhibitors and other laboratory uses.

Compositions and methods for detecting and quantifying COX-2 activity and 2-arachidonylgycerol metabolites

A method of detecting an activity of a COX-2 enzyme in a subject that includes obtaining a sample of the subject; detecting an amino acid eicosanoid metabolite in the sample, wherein the presence of the amino acid eicosanoid metabolite indicates the activity of the COX-2 enzyme of the subject. Preferably the amino acid eicosanoid metabolite is a PGH-Gly or HETE-Gly metabolite. The metabolite may be detected based on metabolism of a COX-2-selective substrate. Preferably, the substrate is a lipoamino acid. More preferably, the lipoamino acid is selected from NAGly, N-arachidonyl-alanine, and &#x3b4;-arachidonyl aminobutuyic acid.

Growing community of inventors

Nashville, TN, United States of America

Kevin R Kozak